London: 1951. 1 page, 10 x 8 inches, Faraday Research Laboratory, Royal Institution, London, March 19, 1951, making an inquiry, in part: "...I have often wondered how the matter of the C. L. Pension was going, but have not liked to write to ask in case the news was bad. I am really delighted to hear that the news is good! It is not a fortune in these days, although before 1914 it would have been..." He continues the letter..... More

West Newton, MA: 1956. 1 page, 11 x 8.5 inches, West Newton, Massachusetts, September 19, 1956, writing to an old college buddy and reminiscing about the past, in part: "...Good to hear from you. It brings back a host of memories very sharply and clearly, from the day I first stepped into the Chem lab on 10 April 1942 (see, I still date things Navy-style---never broke the habit) till my last visit in 1947. We match you in children, Gertrude..... More

Middlebury College, Vermont: 1972. 2 pages, 11 x 8.5 inches, Middlebury College, Vermont, August 27, 1972. Written on a letter sent by his friend John Ciardi (1916 - 1986), acclaimed poet and etymologist, to his wife Janet Jeppson Asimov, whereby the poet jokingly compares Isaac's behavior at a Bird Watchers Conference to that of new species of a promiscuous bird, in part: "...It seems only fair to tell you that the Conference Bird Watchers Club has compiled a series of..... More

1812. 1 page, 10 x 8 inches, no place, August 9, 1812. In this letter, written to Allsops Bindings, Bancroft accepts the terms from his publisher in releasing an updated edition of the "...Philosophy of Colours," in full: "I am willing to accept the terms on which you propose to publish my work on the Philosophy of Permanent Colours, requesting only that you will allow me to take such copies not exceeding thirty or forty, as I may wish to..... More

Pasadena. Short A.L.S. "George Beadle", 8vo. 1 page California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Dec. 16 [1970's], obliging a request for an autograph, in full: "Here's that picture you asked for [enclosed]. With Season Greetings to you and George." Also included: the original enclosed 4x5 ISP, black & white, depicting the scientist dressed in his lab coat, inscribed "To George - With Best Regards - George Beadle". Mounting remnants on verso of the A.L.S. while photograph has tiny striations at the..... More

Basal: 1745. Rare L.S. in French, signed "J. Bernoulli Pere", 4to. 1 page, Basal, December 26th 1745, (translated), writing to a friend in which they share the same surname, in full: "Although it appears that people in Paris think me no longer alive, since I have received no memoirs, no knowledge of the times, no items on Cabestan, nothing indeed of all the academy has had printed this year. I would nevertheless be mortified if you too were of those..... More

Paris: 1925. 1 page on heavy-stock construction paper, 5.75 x 9.25 inches, (Paris), no date, circa 1925. Signed "G. Bertrand" and written in French. Translated in part: "...I have come here as an apostle of Science, that inexhaustible solace of progress. I have found masters as passionate to teach as their students are to learn, but an organization that is too inadequate from the point from the point of view of scientific research. In exchange for some of the associations..... More

A.L.S. "Berzelius", 8vo. 1 page, no place, no date, wood-pulp paper c. 1840, in French (translated): "I was honored to receive the small box containing the steel. I just received a letter from Mr. Lorent de Gottembourg. He is interested in you. If you talk to Gottembourg, discuss with him the best way to get the most out of the patent; I think you will agree with his counsel. I wish a very pleasant trip." A very attractive letter that..... More

Lilienthal: 1807. Important A.L.S. "J.W. Bessel", 8vo. 2 pages, Lilienthal, December 10th 1807, in German, writing to fellow astronomer Carl Ludwig Harding who discovered Juno (a moon of Jupiter), concerning observational reports on Comet orbits that he is comparing with those reported by Olbers, which are included in this letter. He thanks Harding for sending along his map of comet Orbis and adds that observations of "their" comets are enclosed. Bessel stresses the point that the observations made with the..... More

Bernal, Argentina: 1924. 1 page, 5 x 8.25 inches, Berrnal, Argentina, June, 1924 -- translated in full: "The radio will one day be able to transport human ideas to the ends of the earth. Bernal June 1924, C. Braggio." Very good condition. Argentinean inventor who developed a booster to increase the range of two-way radios. He set the world distance record for two-way radio communication in 1924 with a relay between Argentina and China. This is essentially a manuscript souvenir..... More

Autograph quote signed "Edouard Branly", 8vo. 1 page, c. 1900, in French, four lines including: "il faut se contenter du temps present, sait - on l'avenir ce que sear l'avenir?" ("One must be happy with the moment, what do we know about the future?") Condition: two minor spots along the left margin (far from text), otherwise very good. French physicist and inventor involved in the early development of wireless telegraphy.More

Cambridge, MA: 1968. 1 page, 11 x 8.5 inches, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Research Laboratory of Electronics, July 31, 1968, to close friend and attorney Jacob Bacal, in part: "...For many years I have been collecting material together to write a comprehensive biography of Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford (1763-1814). Next year I am taking a sabbatical leave from M.I.T. to allow myself time to do the actual writing of this biography which is projected to be the seventh volume of..... More

Edinburgh: 1854. 3 pages (front and back) each measuring 7.25 x 4.5 inches, Edinburgh, October 6, 1854 -- a chatty letter to a colleague, in small part: "...Mr. Watson has presented himself and your letter, and I am in no doubt of adding him as an acceptable addition to our corps of literary priests in Edinburgh, since he has appeared at your Tuesday evening meetings. I shall introduce him to one or two friends." Faint staining, but still in very..... More

1923. Signature with a four-line sentiment in French. The card measures 3.75 x 5.5 inches and bears a small black-and-white portrait of Claude dated 1923. Light blue staining in the upper left corner; still very good condition. French chemist and physicist who discovered the utility of neon lamps for lighting. Sentenced to life in prison for collaboration with the Nazis on the V-2 rocket program during the Second World War.More

London: 1875. Autograph note signed, 12 mo., 1 page, personal stationary, 20 Mornington Road, London, complying with an autograph request, in full: "With William Crookes's Compliments - July 26th 1875." Boldly signed with an irregular left-hand margin and mounting remnants on verso. Overall: very good. English physicist and chemist whose inventions included the 100% ultraviolet blocking sunglass lens. He was the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery of Thallium.More

New York: 1945. A.L.S. "du Nouy". 1 page, 4to, personal letterhead, 440 Park Avenue, March 3, 1945, with the original holograph stamped envelope, to French historian Gilbert Chinard. Written in French, translated, inviting "Chere Monsieur et Ami" that if he is ever in New York, both should go for dinner or lunch...so that they will be able to talk without any interruptions. Fine. French biophysicist and philosopher best remembered by scientists for his work on The Surface Tension, and other..... More

Boston: 1852. Partial unsigned manuscript consisting of four pages, 9.75 x 7.75 inches, labeled "2" through "5," of a more extensive document, all in the hand of Moses G. Farmer from 1852-1853, discussing the earliest trial-runs of the first ever Electric Fire Alarm System implemented in Boston. Though placed into service on April 28th 1852, Farmer's notes (in diary form) start on June 21st, assessing the system while constantly citing ways to improve his new invention, in very small part..... More

Los Angeles: 1942. Fine content war-date T.L.S. 4to. 1 page, Lee De Forest Laboratories, Los Angeles, California, July 21, 1942, to Verne T. Braman, a longtime friend and fellow inventor, in part: "...I am indeed pleased to know that you have landed so fine a job with Packard and are doing your full bit to help annihilate Hitler and Hirohito; also and especially that you have acquired so fine a wife and "ready made" daughter and are very happy over..... More

Paris: 1855. Uncommon A.L.S. "L. Foucault", 8vo. 1 page, Paris, February 24th 1855, to Monsieur Ami [Gilbert Govi], in French (translated): "Here is my take on the size one has to give the drawing; you could make it even smaller, but certainly not any larger. As you know, the engraver is more than willing to engrave on your marks, so I rely on your extreme kindness. All yours and leaving things in your camp, I remain..." Two very minor striations..... More

Gottingen: 1850. Exceedingly rare A.L.S. "Gauss", 8vo. 1 page, Gottingen, June 8th 1850, in German, pertaining to two pharmaceutical brochures by Dr. Heinrich W.F. Wackenroder, in part: "...I did not want to interfere with their circulation, and therefore, would like to ask you to please send them to me again for closer examination after they have completed their circulation because they are aptly of some interest to me..." Boldly signed and in excellent condition. *Letters by Carl Friedrich Gauss rarely..... More

Paris: Fayard, 1967. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs. 8vo, 340 pages, yellow printed wrappers. (Paris): Fayard, 1967. Very good. Inscribed by the nuclear chemist to Sir James Murray, British Consul and later ambassador: "PourJames Murray, cet essai a histoire de la politique atomique a la fin de laquelle il y a trop de ' news from pekin'! bien amicalment, Bertrand Goldschmidt." Goldschmidt was the head of the French Atomic Energy Commission and the only Frenchman to work on the Manhattan Project..... More

Washington, D.C. 1931. 1 page, 7.5 x 5.25 inches, signed "A.W. Greely," Washington, D.C., April 20, 1931. Written to fellow scientist George Bird Grinnell, in full: "My Dear Grinnell I am in my 88th year and past work. However I will try and write a few lines for you." Natural folds; very good(+) condition. American Polar explorer best remembered for the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition. In 1935 he received the Medal of Honor with the rank of Major General, United..... More

1670. 1 page, 6 x 7.5 inches, no place, August 11, 1670. This exceedingly rare document -- a prescription written in Latin -- is boldly signed "Thomas Guidott, M.D." Some soiling and foxing, otherwise very good. Guidott, Doctor of Physics, became the 17th century's most prolific scientist using the latest techniques of the time for analysis. In 1699 he published his first book documenting the curative properties of the warm springs native to Bath, England. He was the first medical..... More

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